The 2025 West of England mayoral election will be held on the 1st of May, 2025 to elect the mayor of the West of England, on the same day as other local elections across the country. It will be the third election for the role. For the first time the mayor will be elected using first past the post.
Background
editThe West of England term has been used as a synonym for either south-west England or the former county of Avon which was abolished in 1996. The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) was created in 2017 as a statutory body which covers the local authority areas of Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and Bath and North East Somerset.[1][2] It broadly resembles Avon, but excludes North Somerset because that council opposed joining the combined authority, although they collaborate on some projects.[3][4] In October 2020, there were discussions around North Somerset joining the WECA in time for the May 2021 election,[5][6] but councillors in Bristol voted down this proposal in early 2021.[7] The mayor of the West of England is the directly elected head of the WECA.[8] Under a devolution deal agreed in 2017, they have powers over a £30 million annual allocation from the government, to fund transport management, strategic planning of land and housing and adult education.[4]
Electoral system
editThe election will use the voting system of first past the post to elect the mayor, in this system the candidate with the most votes wins. The Electoral Reform Society described the move towards first past the post as one lowering the bar for politicians and thus damaging British democracy.[9]
Candidates
editLabour
editThere are reportedly four Labour candidates:[10]
- Nicola Beech, member of Bristol City Council
- Helen Godwin, member of Bristol City Council
- Lesley Mansell, former West of England mayoral candidate
- Tom Renhard, Bristol Labour group leader
References
edit- ^ Pipe, Ellie (23 July 2020)."Metro mayor on the future of transport in the Bristol region". Bristol 24/7. Retreieved 13 May 2024
- ^ "Elections 2017 results: Who are the new metro mayors?". BBC News. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ Grubb, Sophie (24 July 2020). "West of England Mayor election 2021: Lib Dems announce candidate". Bristol Live. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ a b Ashcroft, Esme (4 May 2018). "Weca Metro Mayor marks first anniversary - but what has he done?". Bristol Live. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ "North Somerset Council joining Weca 'could secure vital funds'". BBC News. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ Sumner, Stephen (27 October 2020). "Not joining regional partnership would be "stupid"". Bristol Live. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ Postans, Adam (3 February 2021). "Minister offers path for North Somerset to join Weca". Bristol Live. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ Team, Bath Echo News (17 February 2017). "First meeting set for newly established West of England Combined Authority". Bath Echo. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ "Local elections: A third of the vote shouldn't make a mayor". www.electoral-reform.org.uk. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ Green, Daniel (22 October 2024). "West of England mayoral election: Who are the Labour candidates hoping to replace Dan Norris?". LabourList. Retrieved 24 October 2024.